How can I pray in faith for my work?

Read It

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.

Meditate On It

God has planted us where we are today; He has a specific purpose for why He chose us to work and serve in our places of work and with the people in our reach. When we conduct ourselves according to His calling, we become visible and tangible examples of Christ’s love and compassion wherever we are. For God’s people, our upward call is always: excel still more!

Consider the following questions:
1. What does the Apostle Paul instruct the church at Thessalonica to do? List down each of the actions. 2. In what way are you practicing (or not yet practicing) each of the instructions listed above? What area can you “excel still more”?
3. According to this passage, how should Christ-followers behave in their own places of work in the context of ministry?

Apply It

1. Where and how is God personally leading me to serve and work for Him?

2. In what area of my personal life, vocation, or ministry can I improve further? (ex. Loving others, practicing generosity, excelling in your field, being content, committed to your vocation, diligent with your labor, witnessing to others)

Set Simple, Measurable, Appropriate, Realistic, Time-bound (SMART) commitments. Example: “I will start a short time of prayer / Bible study in my workplace with my teammates every Wednesday at 7 PM starting next week.”

3. Ask God how He can use you in your employment, business, or ministry. List down the people who you can reach out to and practice Pray, Care, Share with.

Pray It

• Seek the Lord for His calling upon your life. Offer to Him the way you work and minister as a pleasing sacrifice. Be ready to obey Him wherever He will lead you and whatever He will ask you to do.
• Strive for excellence in school or work—doing everything for God’s glory alone.
• Pray for a culture of obeying God’s word and practicing evangelism and discipleship in your sphere of influence: family, community, company, and country.
• Lift up your local church that it will continue to magnify the Lord and make disciples who will make disciples of all nations.
• Intercede for your church leaders that the Lord may sustain His servants and grant them wisdom on navigating through the rest of the year so that God is glorified in their lives and the church.
• Ask God to lead you to volunteer in your local church or ministry.